The VOP Voice - July 2016

July 2016

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Kay Cota

Volunteer of the Month:
Kay Cota

July's Volunteer of the Month is Kay Cota. Kay has served as a Volunteer Ombudsman at Embassy Healthcare Community in Sergeant Bluff for just over two years. Prior to joining the VOP, Kay belonged to the facility's former Resident Advocate Committee. 

In addition to many years serving as an advocate at Embassy, Kay has the unique experience of having her mother as a resident, as well as rehabbing there herself for three weeks after an accident. This has given her a greater perspective on the resident experience and she was glad to be able to offer her input for improvements after the fact.

Kay and her three siblings grew up on a farm in Vermillion, South Dakota. She graduated from Alcester High School—the only town nearby that had a school bus system at the time. She spent some time living in Oregon and California as a young adult, but has lived in Sergeant Bluff for about 30 years. 

Her accounting career took off when she was hired by a CPA firm after finishing one semester of college. Kay retired in 2011 from the Boyle Company where she served as a payroll manager and prior to that as an office manager. In its heyday, the Boyle Company owned several nursing facilities in the area. 

Kay continues to remain busy in her retirement. She volunteers three afternoons a week at her church’s preschool and after-school programs. Sometimes the pre-school kids visit the residents at Embassy and everyone has a great time interacting. Visiting with the little ones helps her remain motivated to advocate for residents. 

Kay believes that anyone who has lived a good life should give back and remember the role volunteers play in residents’ lives.

"The main thing to remember is that the people who live in nursing facilities are lonely for company," she said. "They have a lot to share if you figure out how to communicate with them. You can always share a laugh and smile."

The VOP is proud to have Kay and thanks her for her service!
Shannon Snyder

Welcome Our Newest Team Member

AmeriCorps VISTA member Shannon Snyder recently joined the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman as a VOP volunteer coordinator, primarily with volunteers in the southwest, central and south-central regions.

Shannon graduated from AIB College of Business in May with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and has held a variety of volunteer positions with local non-profit organizations, including the Winterset Art Center, Community Resources in Service to People (C.R.I.S.P.), Dead on Arrival Paintball and Airsoft and Relay for Life with the American Cancer Society. 

“I am passionate about helping others, and being a part of the VOP as an AmeriCorps VISTA member allows me to fulfill that passion,” Shannon said. “I am excited about joining the VOP and look forward to collaborating with my team members."

Welcome Mat

New Volunteers

Please join us in welcoming the newest members of the Volunteer Ombudsman Program:

  • Jim Titus – Casa de Paz (Sioux City)
  • Ken Marlin – Monticello Nursing & Rehab Center
  • Randy Allman – Bethany Life (Story City)

Man at computer

Continuing Education Opportunities & Events



Statewide VOP Conference Call

Thank you to everyone who joined us on the May VOP Conference Call! Your participation was outstanding.

Make sure to save the date for the next statewide conference call on July 20 at 2 p.m. It will be hosted by Local Long-Term Care Ombudsman Jennifer Golle and VOP Coordinator Sarah Hinzman. To participate, call (877) 273-4202 and enter Conference Room ID 877-693-990.

> View minutes from May's call


2nd Annual Falls Prevention Symposium
The Iowa Falls Prevention Coalition will be hosting its 2nd Annual Falls Prevention Symposium on Friday, July 8, at the DMACC campus in Ankeny.

The day-long event will include information about current activities in Iowa designed to prevent falls, including the three evidence-based falls prevention programs available statewide (A Matter of Balance, Stepping On and Tai Chi for Arthritis). Additional presentations will discuss identifying home and environmental fall hazards; modifications for improved safety; and the role vision, medication, and the vestibular system play in falls prevention.

The registration fee is $35 through June 30 and $50 after July 1, and includes materials, continental breakfast, lunch, refreshments and CEUs. (VOP scholarships are available for this event).

> Register


Alzheimer's Association Events and Educational Workshops
The Alzheimer’s Association will be hosting several events in the greater Des Moines area during July and August. For those of you serving the east-central region, the Alzheimer’s Association will also be putting on free education workshops in your area.

> Central Iowa Events

> East-Central Iowa Events


VOP Peer Group Meeting
The Southwest Iowa VOP Peer Group will be meeting at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 2, at the Heritage House (1200 Brookridge Circle, Atlantic). All are welcome to attend.

 Calendar due date

Monthly Reports Due

This is a friendly reminder that monthly reports for June should be submitted if you have not already done so. Online reports must be completed by July 5. Contact your VOP Coordinator for technical assistance.

Anniversary

Volunteer Anniversaries

Bill Campbell, a Volunteer Ombudsman at On With Life in Glenwood, Iowa, is celebrating his two-year anniversary in July. Congratulations, Bill!

In the News

In the News

Nursing facility doors slam shut for transgender Iowan
The Des Moines Register investigates the struggles transgendered Iowans face when trying to check into nursing or rehabilitation facilities.

> Read article


Scammers who target unsuspecting elderly Iowans steal billions each year
Elder financial abuse is a costly issue that is becoming increasingly more common, according to Iowawatch.org. This article discusses how scammers target and take advantage of older adults and features the story of an Iowa couple who lost $44,000 in 20 months.

> Read article


New Regulation Prohibits Discrimination in Health Care
Aging advocates working to promote health equity received some good news and extensive summer reading last week. After much anticipation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released final regulations that seek to transform care for underserved communities by ending discrimination in health care services and settings. 

> Read article